Non-essential water ban lifted in Worthington

WORTHINGTON – The non-essential watering ban that has been in effect in the city of Worthington was lifted Monday afternoon after the Water and Light Commission met and evaluated the situation.

According to Worthington Public Utilities Manager Scott Hain, the odd/even address rule will still be in effect, and no lawn watering will be allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., but for now, Worthington residents will be allowed to wash vehicles, water plants and use water as they see fit.

Hain said he hopes that people will still work to conserve water.

The main reason behind pulling the ban, Hain said, was the inquiries the WPU has been receiving about deferred maintenance projects such as painting garages, homes and decks. Many of them, he said, need to power wash, and the ban prevented them from doing so.

Water levels have been above the average for the last four weeks or so, Hain said, ever since the main recharge at the end of June, so the Commission decided the time was right to lift the ban. Unless something catastrophic happens between now and then, Hain said, the ban will remain lifted and the Commission will reassess the situation at the September 2 Water and Light meeting.